National Republican., 1887-04-08

compared with the Pennsylvania, Harris
burg railroad line, and about 102, 200 miles
as compared with the Baltimore and Ohio,
and saving In ten years 2,336,000 miles
as compared with the former and 1,022,-
coo as compared with the latter
railroad line, to say nothing Of
on through freight trains. The amount
saved on wear and destruction of rolling
stock on this direct line, as compared with
the two railroad lines above named, will
contribute much to extend the two arms Of
this double track line to the Mississippi
river. The seething and turbulent popula-
tioDs Of the west and southwest will require
In twenty-five years double the number of
the present tracks to the seaboard. From
the Hot and Warm Springs. Valley, this
branch railroad line will pass for distance
Of 80 miles through almost inexhaustible
fields Of common coal veins, 9, s, and even
II feet thick, and camel coal veins to
feet thick, also red and white ash coal In
abundance, easily taken out Of the hills, re.
quiripg no deep mining. Along this line Is
the famous red ash semi-bituminous coal,
pronounced by experts the "best coking
coal In the world. !" A fine quality Of besse-
mer Iron ore is abundant on this branch.
There are vast quantities OF shipbuilding
~
hickory, birch, and other valuable timbers;
and the two railroads above named will al
ways contribute as important feeders to this
great central and direct route; and 1t may be
observed by hose acquainted with railroad
lines that, where this route crosses other
lines, they must inevitably act to some ex.
tent as feeders; hence as fast as section after
section Of the road is completed each sec.
tion will be profitable Investment; and
when the main fine Il, completed to Clifton
Forge and Covington and to Knoxville,
and the above named branch to Charleston,
W. Va, and Cincinnati, 1t must be one of
the best paying roads In the country, and
will require double tracks from Washington
city to the Hot and Warm Springs Valley,
and also double tracks to the great manu-
featuring city Of Knoxville, Tenn, and to
Charleston, W. Va, and Cincinnati.
IMPORTANT RAILROAD CONNECTIONS WITH
THIS GREAT THROUGH ROUTE.
It crosses the Manassas branch Of the
Virginia Midland, near Thoroughfare, 80
miles from Washington City; distance by
the present route 45 miles, 10 miles saved
by the direct route; the Shenandoah Valley
road at Luray Caverns, so miles; distance
by the present route 12S miles, IS saved:
the Baltimore and Ohio Valley road at Har-
rlsonburg, 100 miles; distance by the
present route 1856 miles, 46 saved; and the
Chesapeake and Ohio road at Covlngton,
1856 miles; distance by the present route,
933 miles: a miles saved by the d.
Of cars. It will connect at Clifton Forge
with the Chesapeake and Ohio and the
Richmond and Allegheny railroads; and
the five railroads named must contribute
as important feeders to this direct central
route; and the other numerous crossings
throughout the whole course Of this double
track through route, will be as advantageous
as those five just named; and over thirty
railroads in operation, which 1t will cross,
cannot but contribute to Its immense bust
ness, as they must become important feeders
to this great double track railroad line be,
tween the populous east and the great and
growing west and southwest.
The scenery along this contemplated rail-
road route Is quite as beautiful as those
along the Western North Carolina or the
Denver and Rio Grande railroads, which are
very fine. Then just southeast and within
Warm Springs valley, there stands In all
the majesty Of imperial presence towering
| far above and overlooking the surrounding
country the Hot and Warm Springs noun
tain, 1000 feet above the valley, which II
| $500 feet above tide water. Along Its sum
| init magnificent mountain boulevard, 30(
| feet wide and miles long, may be quickly
and cheaply constructed; and the ap
| proaches up either end Of the boulevard vii
be easy carriage grades. From the top o
| this mountain 1t seems that person car
look into all the surrounding states, ant
with powerful glass II is believed that ont
can quite see ships sailing on the bosom O.
the Atlantic ocean 200 miles away. "Fron
Its summit the beholder can see rollinl
away from his feet range upon range o
mountains extending to the edge Of thu
horizon, and in their undulations looking
like the gigantic waves Of the might!
ocean suddenly and eternally arrested a
the heighth Of their onward flow" wher
they seem swallowed up and lost In tn
invisible distance where the unseen com
Of 'AI thousand miles to behold
sunrise and sunset from the top o
this stupendous mountain. The sun ap
pears to come up out OF the Atlantic ocean
dripping with the sparkling dews of tn
early morning, and at night he appears l.
Pacific where the horizon blends earth AM
sky In harmonious union, and all othe
scenes seem incompatible with the splend
ors Of his rich and golden glories here
Persons who have travelled extensively Il
our own and other countries, assert tina
there Views are as grand and beautiful a
any to be seen in Switzerland, In Old Mex
leo, or Colorado.
Along the summit OF this majestic mour
tain, up $500 feet In the pure air, and O
this scenic and picturesque railroad route
we Americans will proudly boast of havin
the only mountain boulevard In the world
most grand and magnificent to contemplate
and easy Of realization. Midway the con
templated boulevard there is an easy grad
leading up from Hot Springs; and here ma
be built, II so desired, an incline railwa
only one mile in length, leading up to He
Springs Observatory, TO be supported by
tubular iron structure 500 feet high, maxim
This observatory may be constructed q
leisure, when other important improve
ments deemed necessary shall have bee
completed.
pendent double track railroad route, lead
ing from Boston, New York, and the eas
via Washington city, through thickly an
and richly nOpnlated sections OF on